You may think that all grass in North Texas neighborhoods is just that—grass. It’s green, you mow it and you water it. It’s generic. But you might be shocked to find that there are actually many different types of turfgrass, each possessing its own advantages and disadvantages for thriving in North Texas. Your personal preferences, the characteristics of your property and the way you plan to use your lawn all hold bearing on which grass is right for you. The amount and quality of sunlight your landscape receives, your cities water guidelines and your personal management preferences also play an important role in what turfgrass best suits your needs. Turfgrass types vary in color vibrancy, blade texture and growth rate. Bermuda, Buffalo, St. Augustine and Zoysia grasses are Texas A&M AgriLife – Water University’s favorite warm-season varieties because they are best adapted to the climate and available natural resources of North Texas. Here we will discuss the types of turfgrasses best suited to the region and the best practices for making them thrive.

Understanding Light Conditions

Turfgrass works best in areas that receive full sun, part sun and, in some cases, part shade conditions. Although turfgrass may have once grown well in a certain area, light quantity and quality can change over time, especially in landscapes with maturing trees, shrubs, new buildings or even new fences.

Established turfgrass might grow successfully in these areas for a while but can begin to decline, becoming thinner and less dense as shade encroaches.

Attempting to establish turf in low-light areas is also problematic. Over-watering and/or over-fertilizing are common responses in lower light situations but are typically unsuccessful in regaining turf quality. They can also be detrimental to landscapes and the environment in the long-run. Consider planting alternatives to turfgrass in full shade and dense shade conditions. Refer to Water University’s “Shade Gardening for North Texas” publication for more information.